Indulgence...-three broomsticks- [Open]

[Rita Skeeter {Inactive}]

<sup>Finally, after weeks and weeks of waiting, Dumbledore had granted the students of Hogwarts a Hogsmeade weekend and Rita could not be happier about it. The castle, as much as she loved it, had been getting rather oppressive and her timetable monotonous. She desperately needed a change of scene and occupation. Something to take her mind of the everyday trials and tribulations of school life, something she could indulge in. Hmm, indulge. Don’t you just love the word? Rita did. It seems to suggest something utterly luxurious and intoxicating (another good word) and for Rita, that thing was shopping. Now, not shopping as in ‘bargain hunting’ like many of her peers seemed to do, but real shopping. As in, blowing an extortionate amount of Daddies gold on fantastically over priced articles which were absolutely worth every knut it because they just make you look even more fantastic than you already do. The incredibly warm and fuzzy feeling you get after such a purchase is undoubtedly why they call it ‘retail therapy’ because, to Rita anyway, it is incredibly therapeutic.

Anyway, on this wondrous day, Rita was to be found browsing some of Hogsmeade’s more exclusive establishments, indulging herself by trying on increasingly elaborate pieces. Of course, Rita and her extravagance was now well known in Hogsmeade and the shopkeepers were only too happy to oblige here every whim. It was certainly a far cry from the daily hassles and anonymity that school life accosted her with. Now, you may be thinking, reading this, that Rita was a bit of a snob. Now that is not altogether true. It is correct to say that she will occasionally look down on the ‘common folk’ but it is nothing akin to snobbery. After all, many of Rita’s dearest friends have no where near the accumulated wealth of her family and it has not stopped her befriending them. No. It is simply that, when given the chance, Rita relishes the opportunity to indulge!

Having enjoyed a satisfactory morning, Rita was in need of some refreshment and had made her way to The Three Broomsticks in order to acquire some. Manoeuvring herself and her shopping through the increasing throngs of people was proving difficult but eventually Rita made it to the bar and ordered a butterbeer to ward off the cold that had been creeping through her despite her exertions. As she waited for the barman to return, she sensed someone take a seat beside her and general curiosity caused her to turn and see who it was.</sup>

[Lucius Malfoy {Inactive}]

<sub>Finally. A day of freedom. It was long overdue and Lucius would have run all the way into Hogsmead if the wind didn't make his hair look so utterly ridiculous when he did so. Besides, running was definitely not the thing to be seen doing. So Lucius just made sure he was awake early and ready to go as soon as the doors open and even though he walked at a good looking and slow pace, he was still one of the first in the village. Lucius strolled around the place, entering the shops and spending a stupid amount of his fathers money or things he didn't really need but they made him seem even better if he owned them. Lucius was not normally one to spend time alone, but all the other Slytherins' were idiots when it came to shopping and in the end Lucius always ended up getting rid of them anyway. Besides, he could get around all the shops far quicker without them and trying on clothes was just so much easier when one was on their own.

Lucius wondered around the corner and was soon stopped by a pair of the most fabulous boots he had even seen, beckoning him from where they stood in the shop window. Well they were most certainly a must have and they weren't even that expensive. Well they were, but to Lucius, they were worth the money. About to enter the shop, an amazingly dressed figure caught Lucius's eye and he recognised it as one Rita Skeeter. She too, looked as if she had gone and brought half of Hogsmead and Lucius couldn't help but to follow her path with his gaze until she disappeared into the Three Broomsticks. Lucius shook his head and entered the shop, exciting ten minutes later with his newly acquired boots in a rather fashionable bag. Taking a left hand turn, Lucius strolled down the street, his feet wishing they were in his boots as he pushed open the door and entered the Three Broomsticks.

Lucius made his way slowly to the bar, weaving through the crowds of people stopping when he finally felt the cold wood of the bar on his palms. Lucius ordered a butterbeer and peered around the room as he waited for it to come. Lucius spotted Rita almost instantly and picking up his warm drink, sat down at the table she was currently sitting alone at, not caring that he had not been invited and just presuming that Rita would enjoy his company. "Afternoon Rita," said Lucius with a brief smile, looking at Rita over the top of his glass as he took a sip. Returning his glass to the table, Lucius put one leg over the over and sat back comfortably in the high backed chair as he ran a hand though his long, and father fabulous hair.

[Wow.. what a pile of shit]</sub>

[Rita Skeeter {Inactive}]

Rita could not be more surprised at the identity of her new guest upon his arrival. Of all people Lucius Malfoy was the not the person Rita expected to be sitting at her table. Yes they’d spoken, got on quite well really, after all, they were both too rich and too good looking to really be allowed, naturally they made good allies. And he really did have fantastic hair. Something Rita held very dear to her heart. In her opinion it was sacrilege to spend anything less than an hour on your hair on any given day.

Anyway, back to the present, luscious, *ahem*, I mean Lucius, was making himself comfortable and had offered a few words as way of greeting. It was only right that she return his good manners. “Lucius, how wonderful to see you,” she said, shifting in her chair in order to face him better, carefully, crossing her legs careful to show the tinsiest bit of thigh as she did so. “I’d toast your arrival but the imbecile behind the bar has been somewhat frivolous with regards to my drink.” She cast in irritated glance in the direction of the bartender who was still faffing about behind the bar. She rolled her eyes, if there was one thing she couldn’t stand it was incompetence.

[short and sweet ;D and no I love your post my dear]

[Lucius Malfoy {Inactive}]

<sub>Some might call him vain. Lucius would merely smile at them and explain that he was in fact, just very well groomed and wasn't one allowed to like their general appearance? And so Lucius felt indifferent as he pulled a compact mirror from his pocket and began to ensure that his parting was perfect and that no hair was currently residing in a place where they most definitely did not belong. A few minutes of hair perfecting later, Lucius snapped shut the compact and returned it to his pocket, flashing Rita a bright smile as he did so. Lucius couldn't help but to let his eyes wander downwards as Rita crossed her legs and he was awarded with the sight of Rita's thigh, never mind how small the piece of bare flesh was. Well, if that was the way she was going to play it...

"Your drink hasn't arrived yet?" asked Lucius. "My, my, what poor service. Please excuse me." Lucius walked across the room and up to the bar, keeping as much distance as he possibly could between himself and the scum that congregated around the bar area. Leaning over the bar, Lucius muttered some angry words to the bartender whom looked as if he hadn't washed his hair for a while and after a few moments, he was walking away from the bar, a Butterbeer in his hand. Lucius placed the steaming drink in front of Rita and returned to his seat, making himself comfortable as he twirled a lock of his blonde hair around his finger.</sub>

[Rita Skeeter {Inactive}]

Rita watched as Lucius preened himself in front of his little mirror and amused herself by thinking that if anyone other man had pulled out a mirror and started doing his hair, she might have run a mile. However, Lucius seemed to be an exception to every rule. He had a way of making everything seem like an everyday occurrence, even if it quite obviously was not.

On the contrary however, it seemed Lucius was quite accomplished when it came to complaints! And rather efficient too, she noted when she saw her drink in his hand. She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t thought of doing that herself but she wasn’t really one for straight out conflict, preferring to get back in her own, quieter way. “Thank you,” she said, wrapping her grateful fingers around the warm mug and bringing it too her lips, “hmm, that’s lovely.” Feeling much better for the nourishment the liquid provided, Rita felt suddenly much more at ease and proceeded to concern herself with the small talk required in the early stages of such a meeting. “So, what brings you to Hogsmeade today? I trust you’ve had an enjoyable morning?” It struck Rita as unusual that Lucius was alone today, his usual mob of cronies that seemed to follow him everywhere were notably absent. However, it was not yet the time to mention this so she held her tongue.

[Lucius Malfoy {Inactive}]

If anyone any other male had sat himself down in the Slytherin Common Room, pulled a mirror from his robes and done his hair as carefully as Lucius always did, he would have been ripped apart by the Snakes. Of course, no one would dare rip any part of Lucius and so he was safe in the fact that he could look at himself as much as he wanted in his mirror and not be disturbed by anyone else. And so he did if often. If there was a loll in the conversation, or Lucius just felt the need to ignore someone, he would just take out his mirror and look at his most favourite person in the world. Himself. Why look at a crowd of rather ugly Slytherins, when you look at yourself? It made perfect sense really.

Lucius nodded his head in response to Rita's thanks and followed suit, picking up his drink and cradling it in his hands. His was still very warm and the heat spread up his arms and into his body. Lucius sighed contently and took a long sip, drinking carefully to avoid any nasty and rather embarrassing spillages. Butterbeer down ones front really wasn't the look Lucius was going for. "Fresh air, freedom, and of course, the chance to spend a lot of someone elses money on pointless objects that I will probably use once and then discard of," said Lucius slowly. Though Lucius wasn't normally one to wear something once and then throw it away, sometimes he just learnt to dislike things quickly, soon getting bored of them and having to get rid of them. "A very pleasant morning," said Lucius with a nod. "And what about yourself?" Lucius raised a hand and coughed into it gently, returning his tankard to the table as he did so. After spending a moment of two straightening up his ridiculously tight trousers, Lucius looked up and gave Rita a smile, one of those really annoying ones that you cannot help but to smile back at.

[Rita Skeeter {Inactive}]

Rita indulged herself in a smile, now that sounded oddly familiar; it seemed they did indeed have much in common. She’d often wondered if her father minded that she charged quite so much to his account, but on the other hand she also wondered if he even noticed at all, she doubted even her lavish spending made that much of a dent. Being that high up in the ministry did have its benefits. She really was amazed just how some people managed to get by at all on what they earnt. After all, no matter what some might say, the magnolia scarf she’ brought today was a necessity; she now had the entire rainbow in scarves in case she ever needed it. It was much the same in everything else. She had inks in every colour (she was favouring green at the moment), she had quills from every bird, she had different bags depending on what length of skirt she was wearing that day as long as it co-ordinated with her nail polish...oh the list was endless!

She was brought back to the present when a loud cough from behind her caught her off guard. Honestly, they should allow sick people in public places. She could get ill! And ill was not a good look for her. The puffy eyes, the red nose, the dishevelled hair (just the thought of it made her shudder), not for her thank you very much! After a piercing glare at the offending gentleman, who by the way looked as if he had not washed in weeks, perhaps if he had, she thought, he might not be ill, Rita turned her attention to Lucius. “Yes, it sounds it,” she replied, “mine was much the same; shopping, wandering, shopping and, well, shopping I suppose. No doubt that was obvious though,” she smiled indicating the large pile of packages and parcels she had crammed into numerous shopping bags.